Apeks Black Ice BCD

A review of my favorite BCD to date, lots of features. I forgot to mention that it can hold twin tanks if you have the plate for it. Also has shoulder strap stainless steel adjusters as well.

[@HarryStoneDotCom]

A really good and practical review from someone who obviously knows what he's doing. and your enthusiasm is infectious. Great job!

[@sethbeckhardt8700]

Michael, thanks for showing the trim pockets. I was looking all over creation for them.DOL, RLTW.

[@josephau2910]

This is the best review of this BC by far. Everything was explained really well and concisely. Was considering a few other models of back inflation BC's before but have ordered one of these. I can't wait to dive with mine. Many thanks for posting, much appreciated.

[@InlikeMikeQuinn]

+Joseph Au (MrJosephAu) No problem my friend! I hope to do more this spring.

[@kentac1911]

Great detailed video man! I have been looking at this BCD. Most BC pockets are almost unusable, the expandable pocket seems like it would solve that! Thanks for sharing man!

[@pageturnerproductions2084]

A really good review, we got tipped by our Dive Instructor in Cancun who cave dives in the Cenotes and he hands down recommended Apeks gear. I am going to get one of these for myself and one for the wife. You really should go and ask apeks to send you the dual backplate and do another review fitting it to show us how it can be expanded. Thanks for the review and keep up the diving.

[@InlikeMikeQuinn]

Thanks Glen! I hope to start doing more reviews...I just got alot of other stuff going on...dive well my friend.

[@daddyrabbit835]

Jesus, I just found the trim weight pockets. I almost bought a set. Thanks for the save. I agree about the primary weight pockets. Pain in the ass.

[@PloufferDoofer]

Cheers to you. This has pretty much made my decision for me.

[@CollazoVision]

Great review, I like your opinions regarding the BCD, they are right on point. I also have the Black Ice and love it!! Now I just need to retire so it can become my every day wear.

[@InlikeMikeQuinn]

You and me both buddy...

[@davidressler9316]

I have the same bcd. My stainless steel bolt and screw on the waste band has also fallen off

[@daddyrabbit835]

"Trailer Park Fashion" LOL... nice. I just bought one of these on Ebay. I can't wait to test it out.

[@InlikeMikeQuinn]

I said "Trailer Park Fashion"

[@daddyrabbit835]

@@InlikeMikeQuinn That's what made me LOL.

[@InlikeMikeQuinn]

Dan Vaught think i was drunk when i made that last reply, lol. Happy Diving friend

[@albertbell7120]

Iv just ordered one hoping its as good as it looks ... my AP Commando is about done so something new for a change like the look of the jacket ... my only worry is no Velcro waist band ... will let you know how it goes cheers great video.

[@montjamz]

Excellent review.. I've owned my blk ice for a while now.... Absolutely agree w all u said.. Awesome bcd and the comfort and quality is hands down the best I've used... I've had Dive Rite, Scuba Pro, an Aqua LungPro, all great bcds but none w the specs n quality of this one. Tha adjustable back pad and custom wrap around system... Tech D rings extendable pocket w knife mount.... Doesn't get any better

[@InlikeMikeQuinn]

thanks my friend

[@InlikeMikeQuinn]

Yes my friend I have 3 bcd’s the other 2 are a light weight travel one the Blackhawk (?)by Scubapro and the other is a I forget but yeah my black ice is my primary and it takes a beating and is holding up well. Always have a backup and use it periodically.

[@IFish4Tuna]

Nice review. I bought one for my son. Once we got back to the boat after the dive one of his insert weight packs dropped out while we were removing gear before boarding. No doubt operator error in getting them in place properly, but something for people to be aware of. Would have sucked if happened down below. He is a beginner diver. Just double checking w/ you. You wear a belt instead of using the pockets, did I hear that right?

[@InlikeMikeQuinn]

my one friend that watched this made fun of me saying “female body contours”...hey man, professionalism! ; )

[@mikhaeltellier2891]

hi !! thanks a lot for your video, the best i have ever watch here, i'm interested about that bcd , would you recommend it today again despite the fact that it's an "old" bcd ?

[@InlikeMikeQuinn]

Hell yes i still use this one i had it service all o-rings replaced etc just a few months ago. (Thanks Mark @ Scuba Venture)

[@elmo319]

Not just stainless but 'marine grade stainless' guys otherwise you'll have corrosion problems in time

[@InlikeMikeQuinn]

yeah wish I would have thought to say that then, thanks my friend

[@wearetherandombros7782]

Hello sir ! Nice review ! :) I am in the market now for a new BCD and i am between the Black Ice the Hydros from ScubaPro and the Outlaw from aqualung.. The thing is that now i am Divemaster and i new a bcd for recreational diving but i am planning to do the Tec 50 in the next year so am looking to get something to do both. Only the Black ice can take twin cylinders. So is it better to get a cheap bc for recreational uses (like taking customers for dive trips ) and save up for a good twin system or get the black ice ?? Would you still recomend it after the Hydros got released ? cuz everyone seems to love that one...

[@InlikeMikeQuinn]

Sorry for this late reply. I say less is more, if not this bcd then watch more reviews, i am strictly recreational diving so tech rec questions i will gracefully take a small bow and say: I do not know. However, this one is so versatile yes you can switch easily to a double tank set up if you buy that plate (i may one day but just dont have a need to as of yet). Hope this helps

[@forbes320]

After years of using your Apeks Black Ice, how did it stand up? Would you still recommend it?

[@fahmieshafie1346]

What's your opinion between Black Ice vs Dimension I3? And what's your choice regulator? Is it possible to review it? Terima kasih. Fahmie

[@InlikeMikeQuinn]

I don't "own" that particular BCD but if I can get ahold of one my size and use it for a week and do a few different dives with it then yes absolutely. I would love for a manufacturer like Aqua Lung to just send me some gear to review and even if I would have to ship it back to them after I put it to the test. I'll just use it and abuse it the best I can and give my honest opinion and point out the pros and cons that I found. As for regulators: my personal favorite and one I use now with that set up is the Aqua Lung Legend. Very good regulator, I'll expand on that later. My my travel set up I use a Tusa regulator but can't remember the model at this moment in time.

[@leech7]

Nice review! There are no good reviews on the net to that bcd until now! Two questions, can you add d rings to the shoulder strap and how good is the bcd foldable for travelling? Cheers!

[@InlikeMikeQuinn]

Sorry for these late replies! (I never imagined this would get alot of traffic! ) it does fold up nicely for me, but i do have a Scubapro Knighthawk i use for travel in a pinch but this one is my main goto for most applications

[@anubhavsgarg]

Hey Michael! Thanks for the most detailed and honest review. I am surely convinced that this is gonna be the BCD I go for.. Might I ask.. whats the approx. weight of the unit, if you do remember?

[@InlikeMikeQuinn]

Anubhav Garg hey thanks my friend, I will have to get back to you with the weight.

[@InlikeMikeQuinn]

Man i never got back to you my bad, i still dont know the weight! It’s heavier as far as BCD’s go however, not a light weight travel BCD

[@anubhavsgarg]

No worries Michael! I bought a rogue instead 😅 .. must say! It's a very nice BCD and I love the fact I can dismantle it.. it fits in 23L hand carry.. entire BCD, reg and a 13" laptop.. it's so compact they they don't even bother to check the weight at airports! )))))

[@antreasioannou3535]

Hello Michael that's a very nice video you got there. I searched almost every BCD i found on Internet and i decided to replace my Scubapro Glide 1000 with this one.. The only problem i got and i can't find one to test it out is that this specific BCD it doesn't have a velcro strap only a pinch clip.. How does this works out for you ? is that comfortable ??

[@InlikeMikeQuinn]

+Antreas Ioannou Hi, you are correct, it does not have any velcro securing for the waist strap. I must confess, until you mentioned it I had not thought of it. This one has a D ring at the ends of both webbings on the waist straps that is so convenient and easy to maneuver. Make sure to extend out all the straps before you put it on, buckle the waist connector, put your thumbs through those D rings and (I guess I gotta put this on video to illustrate!) and push out like you were doing a push up. Its so easy to tighten and conforms to your body. To further answer your question: YES! It is SO comfortable for me personally. I think you may be like me: I have had numerous BCD's over the years with all kids of cumberbuns/waiststraps and even though you give it a dunk to wet it before getting in the water and you then suit yourself up...once you get in and get in the water you find you have to readjust or tighten your waist strap and/or every other adjustment on your BCD?! If that is you my friend, join the crowd! I am always readjusting, and yes I hope thats what you are hinting at, the velcro seems to secure alot better than a pinch type fastener. And all I gotta say is of course it does! We all know the nylon straps once wet have some "give" to them (like the tank strap) and we gotta readjust once its wet or wet before we ever get in. Factor in your dive suit, the gear you have attached, how your shoulder straps are tightened and all that stuff and adjust to what is comfortable for you. I hope you don't take this EXTREMELY long explanation and response to your question as me thinking you are a novice diver I just wanted to explain so others might understand. Take care and hit me up on email if I can help you further.

[@antreasioannou3535]

+Michael Quinn Thanks a lot my friend ! :) you helped more than you can imagine here! Because in the place i live Apeks doesn't have a dealership and i wasn't sure if this worths the trouble to go and get it ! Now as long as i get the money am going for it! Thanks!!

[@mustafadarsh843]

Can I ask something.. I'm instructor and working nearly every day... the plack ice good enough for this or what u recommend.. thanks

[@InlikeMikeQuinn]

Hell yes! I use this one for instructing and in the mucky Schuylkill River here in Pennsyltuckey

[@InlikeMikeQuinn]

well leech7 it comes with the D rings already on and believe me you got alot of space with what comes with it for attaching gear, but if I understand you correctly you want to add additional ones besides what is already there? Hit me up [e-mail] and maybe I can take other photos or video. Thanks for the review.